Ward claims Salute to Veterans honors on a huge night of racing

It was a night filled with patriotism and thanking our Veterans at the Boone Speedway on Saturday when Boone held its Annual Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans Night sponsored by EMW Trucking, and Waltert Farms.  A whopping 241 race cars came to try their hand at Iowa's Action track. Prior to the racing, Veterans enjoyed a free meal, drink, gifts, and free admission to the races. Specially wrapped Salute to Veterans race cars were on display behind the grandstand, and a stirring pre-race ceremony was also held.

The wrapped cars on display were beautiful and a great tribute.  Old Glory was the theme of McCain Jennings and his Stock Car.  Buck Schafroth's Stock Car was the Sniper car and fittingly a Sniper Chassis is what he runs.  Brandon Beckendorf's Modified was wrapped in the Gold Star theme, and Chad Palmers beautiful purple Stock Car was honoring the Purple Heart recipients.  Tim Warner brought his SportMod down from Wisconsin with an A-10 Warthog U.S. Air Force wrap. Nice chatting with him and his wife, and we got a sampling of yummy Wisconsin "squeaky cheese"!  Logan Anderson's SportMod showcased the USAF Thunderbirds.  Alec Fett's car honored the U.S. Navy Corpsman. The Modified of Joel Rust was a weathered P51D Mustang wrap. Jeremy Mills Modified was the Battle of Iwo Jima.  The cars were all great, and all the drivers we talked to were honored to be able to honor the Veterans.  They told us how much they learned in their research and the Veteran's stories they heard.  

Winners on the night were Tim Ward in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, Kaden Reynolds took home the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car win, IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod winner was Matt Avila, the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock win went to Dylan Nelson, and IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites saw Scott Bailey take a trip to Victory Lane.

The feature racing kicked off with the 15 lap Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck, and Farm.

After two initial no starts of the race, this one would go green to checkered with Scott Bailey leading the entire distance.  He finished well ahead of second place Josh May.  Pole starter Austin Gray finished in third place, Randy Bryan was fourth, and Jason Toppenberg rounded out the top five.  Bailey, a former IMCA Stock Car driver, made his first visit to the winner's circle at Boone in the Mod Lite division.

The IMCA Northern SportMods, presented by Elmquist Towing ran a 25 lap feature next.

Garrett Nelson was the early leader of the race as he held back Adam Birck and Matt Avila.  After a restart at lap eleven, Avila moved into the number two spot, and was in hot pursuit of the leader.  He pulled off a nifty slide job and had the lead three laps later.  Avila then held on to that top spot the remainder of the race, and scored his third victory of the year at the track.  Canton, Missouri's Adam Birck finished as the runner up, Garrett Nelson was third, Colby Fett took fourth,  and Dusty Lynch was fifth.

The IMCA Modifieds, presented by D & E Outside Services ran a 25 lap feature, for a $5,000 payday to the winner.

There was a no go at the start of the race, but after that, the race would go non-stop.  Tripp Gaylord started on the outside front row, and led the troops in the opening laps with sixth place starter Tim Ward on his tail.  By lap three, Ward had the lead...never to look back.  He had the field covered even having to slice through heavy lap traffic in the latter part of the race.  He finished a good straight away ahead of second place Gaylord at the checkers.  Nick Meyer started eighth, and finished in third place, fourth went to Green River, Wyoming's Braxton Yeager, and Chris Snyder, Dunkerton Iowa completed the top five.

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Boone Moose Lodge were next on the night's schedule for their 25 lapper.

Kaden Reynolds, Cedar Rapids, Iowa drew the pole starting spot for the race, and kept his ride at the front the entire 25 laps.  It got interesting on lap twenty however, when a caution flag flew.  On the restart it was Kelly Shryock, who had flown through the field from starting twenty-first and was running second after battling by Jake McBirnie, Elijah Zevenbergen, and Damon Murty in a hard fought joust. Now the big crowd was expecting a wreckers or checkers run to the finish. Reynolds never faltered however, as he was content to let the spirited race for position going on behind him battle it out, and he went home to the flying checkers, and the win.  Kelly Shryock, finished as the runner up, Jake McBirnie took third place, it was Zevenbergen in fourth, and Estherville, Iowa's Chris Palsrock ran at the front all race long, and finished in fifth.

The evening's racing concluded with 20 laps of IMCA Hobby Stock racing, presented by Pickett Salvage.

Solomon Bennett took advantage of his pole starting spot, jumping to the immediate lead when the race went green.  By lap four, Adel, Iowa's Dylan Nelson was breathing down his neck.  Nelson looked for a way around and taking to the top of the track, swung to the lead by lap nine.  He never looked back from there on out, and sealed the deal, taking the comfortable win.  Solomon Bennett chased him the rest of the rest, but had to be content with second place.  Tom Killen, Jr. ran third most of the race, and finished in that position.  Fourth went to tenth place starter, Mike Smith, and Michael Wade,  Dorchester, Nebraska, was fifth.

It was a late night of racing what with the sheer number of cars, and all of the ceremonies, and honoring done pre-race.  It was the wee hours of the morning, after 3 a.m. before we got home. But the witnessing of the whole evening was wonderful.   

Next up at the Boone Speedway is the World of Outlaw Late Models on Tuesday, August 1 with IMCA Stock Cars also on the docket.  Gates open at 5, with hot laps at 6:30 and racing to follow.  Then next Saturday night, August 5, is another regular weekly racing show with IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, and Mod Lites.  Gates open at 5:30, Hot laps at 6, and racing at 7.

Keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

 Specially wrapped race cars were also on display behind the grandstand for all to enjoy.  This years specially wrapped cars Brandon Beckendorf with his Gold Star Modified, Jeremy Mills with his Battle of Iwo Jima - USMC tribute Modified, Joel Rust's Modified carried  the weathered P51D Mustang theme, McCain Jennings had his Stock Car wrapped in the Old Glory red, white, and blue,  Buck Schafroth's Sniper Chassis Stock Car fittingly, was The Sniper, Chad Palmer's purple Stock Car touted the Purple Heart theme, Logan Anderson had his SportMod saluting the USAF Thunderbirds, Alec Fett's SportMod carried a tribute to the US Navy Corpsman, and  Tim Warner had his SportMod  with a A-10 Warthog theme.

6th Annual Dale DeFrance Memorial falls to a deluge!

 It was a scorcher on Friday, with temperatures hovering in the high 90s and the humidity, oppressive! However, the Marshalltown Speedway had not given way to calling off their program as several other tracks had canceled early due to the predicted heat.  Then, an early day look at future radar was not looking good at all for getting the 6th Annual Dale DeFrance Memorial in.  

It had been a long anticipated night of racing for the Dale DeFrance Memorial, with a huge field of cars...163 total, and a big crowd on hand that honors the patriarch of the DeFrance family. The purse money had grown by leaps and bounds and the draw/redraw show for all classes was looking to provide some great racing action.  There was tons of give aways for the fans and the volunteers had done a fabulous job of raising donations both gift and money wise.  

There were 27 of the Hoker Trucking Super Late Model Series (SLMR) drivers on hand and after hot laps were completed, they ran their time trials.  By this time, the sky was not looking the best, but it was on with the show!

The heat racing began with the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods, which had a big field of 42 on hand.  By this time, everyone was scanning the sky as it grew more ominous, and then the winds came up...big time, and by the time the third heat of SportMods was being completed, the temperatures had dropped considerably, and a few raindrops were beginning to fall.  Then....the sky abruptly opened up! It went from those few raindrops, to an absolute downpour instantly!  

Everyone rushed to gather their belongings, and made their way to the exit gate.  Needless to say, it was a herd of "drowned rats".  

It was announced that the Dale DeFrance Memorial will be run next week, Friday, August 4, and it will be as if last night never happened.  The Late Models will time trail again, and the SportMod heats were null and void. 

We got soaked as we made our way to the vehicle, and since many of the spectators were still trying to get to their vehicles, we opted to leave the parking lot, and try to avoid the rush.  We are not sure that was such a good idea after we ended up driving through some pretty bad "stuff".  Then an alert on the phone raised more cause for concern, as they were warning about possible 90 mph winds in the area!  However, we continued on, through a bit of hail, strong winds, and a deluge.  Of course, just a few miles from home, we ran into dry pavement!  We just got in the garage, and the rain began.  We sure have needed the rain lately, but Mother Nature just had to throw storms and a beating into the equation along with the watering!

We at least got to visit a bit with fellow Positively Racing blogger, Danny Rosencrans, (check out his blogs at "Racin' Down the Road") who drove all the way from Canton, Missouri for the show, bringing along a friend to share the long distance road trip. Hopefully, they made it home safely and earlier, but no doubt, disappointed in not seeing the show they came to watch. 

It's off to Boone Speedway tonight, for what is one of my favorite shows of the year, Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans.  

Keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

300th win for Murty and King of the Katwalks title, Elmquist finds Victory Lane for first career checkers

The biggest car count of the season...179 cars....was on hand at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night where it was Christmas in July as well.  Santa was hand and the facility was in holiday decor.  

It was Fox Welding Stock Car King of the Katwalks night, presented by VanEaton Pork. The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars were running for a $2500 to win payday, as well as an impressive trophy, and eligibility for qualifying for the B & B Chassis All-Star Invitational at the Super Nationals. Damon Murty not only walked away with those honors, but in doing so, got his elusive 300th IMCA Stock Car win.  In the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods, another record fell, when 16 year old Josalyn Elmquist found her way to Victory Lane for the first time in her racing career.  Other winners on the night were Jake McBirnie in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, Andrew Burg took the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Josh May got back to the winner's circle in the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites.

The IMCA Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck & Farm ran their 15 lap main event first.

Mike Kennedy led the field to green, and kept the top spot through lap eight.  That's when Josh May took command of the ship and would then pull away from the pack and win going away.  Jason Toppenberg ran at the front of the field all race long, and finished as the runner up.  Early leader Mike Kennedy took third spot, fourth went to eighth place starter Randy Bryan, and Austin Gray started ninth, and took fifth.  The race went flag to flag.  This was May's fifth feature win of the season.

The IMCA Northern SportMod feature, presented by Elmquist Towing, was one for the record books.  Josalyn Elmquist, who is 16 years old, would lead the 18 lap feature the entire race and take her ride home to the flying checkers for the very first time in her racing career.  Chasing her the entire event was Summer Anderson, finishing in second, making it a 1-2 finish for the ladies.  Jackson Harpole, who calls Farmington, New Mexico home, but is spending the summer racing in Iowa, finished in third.  Another lady racer, Taylor Kuehl came from eleventh starting spot to take fourth, and Chris Burke completed the top five.  This race also went caution free.  Elmquist was the eighth different winner of the points season this year.

The headliner of the evening, the running of the IMCA Stock Car 25 lap feature came next and the quest for title of King of the Katwalks.  Fifty-nine different drivers competed on the night, qualifying 24 cars through heats, and three B Mains.  Two provisionals with the most points at the track who did not qualify, tagged the field.

Gage Neal started on the outside front row, and led the opening circuits, but it was Damon Murty taking over at lap four.  Murty continued to lead though lap fifteen when the race was yellow flagged for debris on the track.  By this time, son Dallon Murty had gotten into the number two spot after getting past Troy Jerovetz, and had erased dad's comfortable lead for the restart.  Damon Murty however, continued his lead, taking to his preferred top line as the race concluded, and took the prestigious win, as well as securing his elusive 300th IMCA Stock Car feature win.  Son Dallon Murty took second place, eleventh place starter, Jake McBirnie made a late race rally and finished in third place. Last years King of the Katwalks winner,  Kaden Reynolds, Cedar Rapids, Iowa hard charged his way through the field from starting seventeenth, and finished fourth, and Troy Jerovetz was fifth.  Murty was the seventh different Stock Car winner this season.

The IMCA Modifieds, presented by D & E Outside Services ran a 20 lap feature.

Jake McBirnie took his ride to Victory Lane when he led all but the first four laps of the feature event.  He then pulled away from the field and checked out in the latter part of the race, winning for the second time this year. Joel Bushore finished a distant second, third went to Green Bay, Wisconsin's Tyler DeBouche, Paul Nagle started sixteenth, and finished fourth, and tenth place starter Cory Sauerman rounded out the top five. McBirnie was a happy camper in his Victory Lane interview with Coty Mallicoat.  He was pleased with his ride, sporting a "new dress", and getting fine tuned this week, as well as praising the great track to race on. He became the sixth different Modified winner this season.  

The 15 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature, presented by Pickett Salvage put a nightcap on the racing.

Braden Gifford led the opening lap of the event, but veteran racer Andrew Burg was leading when lap two was scored.  Burg never looked back from there on out, as he continued his run at the front the remainder of the race and took the win by a comfortable margin.  Second place finisher was Mike Smith, third went to Seth Butler, Zach Henningsen, Marne, Iowa took fourth after starting twelfth, and John Watson made his way to a fifth place finish, coming from sixteenth starting position. Burg, an Iowa native who now calls Maricopa, Arizona home, comes back to Iowa to race in the summer the last several years. His last trip to Victory Lane at Boone came back in 2018, when he was the Hobby Stock track champion. 

It was nice to see fellow Positively Racing cohort, Barry Johnson in the house last night.  He spent most of his night in the infield, camera in hand.  It was Ryan Clark alone on the mic last night, as Jerry Vansickel is off on a few days vacation.   

Next Saturday, July 29, is Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans at the speedway.  This is one of my favorite shows of the year.  It's quite a moving program paying honor to those special veterans who served their country.  Boone Speedway will be the last of three stops for the Salute to Veterans as they start out in Spencer, Iowa on Wednesday, July 26, race at the Kossuth County Speedway on Thursday, July 27, and end their tour at Boone on Saturday, the 29th.  Several drivers are chosen to represent the Salute to Veterans and have special wraps on their cars and will be on display prior to the races.  Veterans, active duty, and widows get in free at the races on those nights. 

Find a race to support, and help keep the sport we all love alive and well....dirt track racing! 

 

 

McBirnie claims Highbanks after the Creek Stock Car Dirt Crown

 It was Vessco Inc. night at the races, and $2,000 to win Highbanks after the Creek Dirt Crown Series for the IMCA Stock Cars on Friday night at the Marshalltown Speedway.  It brought in a nice field of drivers from several states that have been competing in the series, as well as the weekly racers.  A total of 149 cars checked in for a beautiful night for some racing.

The IMCA Friesen Performance Modified feature went to Joel Rust, while the coveted IMCA Sunoco Stock Car crown went to Jake McBirnie.  Jenae Gustin returned to the winner's circle in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class, while it was Sam West taking the win in an accident marred IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature.  Jon Padilla made his weekly haul over to the track from Silvis, Illinois pay off by winning the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites, and it was Ben Kraus taking the checkers in the added Outlaw Mini Mods.

Feature racing kicked off with the Outlaw Mini Mods running their 12 lap main event and they did it caution free. 

Early leader was Lucas Daniels, but by lap five, it was Ben Kraus in command.  From there on out he stretched it out to a substantial lead, and took it home to the checkers. Chase Daniels chased the leader much of the distance and took the runner up position.  Ninth place starter Matthew Grobe, Austin, Minnesota finished in third,  fourth went to pole sitter Lucas Daniels, and Nathan Kilwine, Glenville, Minnesota rounded out the top five. 

The Mod Lites, presented by Knight Sanitation ran their 15 lap feature next.

David Bailey jumped to the immediate lead, and was looking strong until bad luck bit him in turn two when he spun just after lap four was in the books.  New leader was Colona, Illinois driver Jason Masengarb with Jon Padilla, Silvis, Illinois hot on his tail.  By lap seven, it was Padilla taking command.  Padilla then stretched out his lead, and took it home to an easy win.  Josh May started tenth, and took second place.  Jason Masengarb took third, fourth went to Alex Eischeid, and eleventh place starter Randy Bryan was fifth.  Padilla, who started ninth, claimed his third feature of the season.

The 20 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center had some issues.  It took the third try to even get the race started.  More yellows would follow, and then the race had to be red flagged.     

Sam West, the "Ferguson Freight Train" had the lead on lap two after passing early leader Braden Gifford. West continued his hold on the top spot through three more yellow flags, but as the laps wore down, he had big time company jousting for position in a close battle right behind him. 

At lap seventeen, the hard fought contest going on behind the leader saw a scary incident, bringing out a red flag. Calvin Dhondt went for a hard roll, ending upside down on the frontstretch, as other cars got caught up in the unavoidable chaos....eliminating about eight cars. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

When racing got back underway, West still maintained his lead and went home to the flying checkers and the win....his second of the season. Corey Van Der Wilt started fourteenth, and finished as the runner up.  Third went to twenty-fourth place starter Darin DeZwarte, Rick Kriegel started nineteenth, and was fourth, and fifteenth place starter, Derrick McNeece was fifth. Mitchell Thomas and Andy Peck completed the field of seven cars that finished the incident marred contest.  

The IMCA Northern SportMod 20 lap feature, presented by Rugged Radios came next and it was Jenae Gustin on a rail....leading the entire 20 laps.  

Gustin started third, and pulled an expertly maneuvered slide out of turn four to take the lead as lap one was scored.  She never looked back from there, and took the checkers comfortably over second place Brady Hilmer.  Matt Avila finished in third, fourth was twelfth place starter Brayton Carter, and Travis Petersen was fifth.  This was Gustin's third feature win of the year.

Gustin was still in her rent-a-ride car, but we took note of what appeared to be her own car taking some laps around the track at one point....testing a few laps as it lagged far behind during one of the races.  Perhaps it was brother Ryan Gustin that we spotted at the track, testing and tuning his sisters car for its debut soon.  

The IMCA Stock Cars were racing for $2,000 to win in a Dirt Crown East Series race, that saw thirty-five drivers try to earn that payday. The Summer Dirt Crown Series which has an East and a West division began back in April and continues through September 16....with an East/West challenge race October 6 and 7 at Harlan.  

Jake McBirnie led the field to green for the contest, and that was all she wrote, as he would lead all 30 laps on his way to Victory Lane.  He was chased most of the distance by the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty, but on this night, Murty had to be satisfied with the runner up spot. Kaden Reynolds, ripped the lip of the track in the latter portion of the race in an attempt to gain ground, but had to be content with third place.  Fourth went to Jim Horejsi, Marshall, Minnesota who advanced seventeen spots to take the hard-charger award, and Garrett Corn completed the top five. 

Dallon Murty was moving through the field nicely running in third spot early, when he was suddenly on two wheels, bicycling in turn two when contact got another car under him.  Somehow he managed to tame his ride, but later had to exit the race.  

The finale of the night was 20 laps of IMCA Modified racing, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap.  

Richie Gustin led the opening laps of the race, but Joel Rust was quickly up to challenge.  By lap five, Rust had the lead, and he would keep the upper hand the rest of the uninterrupted way to the finish, and the win.  Eleventh place starter Todd Shute got by Jake McBirnie late in the race as they went second and third respectively. Last week's winner Tripp Gaylord started tenth, and finished in fourth place, and Izac Mallicoat took fifth.

Next Friday, July 28, is the 6th Annual Dale DeFrance Memorial honoring the late hometown racer.  It is a Hoker Super Late Model Race Series race with big money on the line.  The Late Model race as of this writing pays $4,644 to win and $750 to start.   Modifieds, $3,044 to win and $220 to start.  Stock Cars are $1,444 and $185 to start.  Northern SportMods are racing for $1,044 and $180 to start, and the Hobby Stocks pay off is $744 and $125 to start. Why the strange 44 in the pay offs?  That was the number that Dale DeFrance raced back in the day.  The DeFrance family and other volunteers have done a tremendous job in securing sponsors for this race. 

August is just around the corner.  That means we are already on the downhill slide of the racing season.  Find a race to support, and help keep dirt track racing alive and well.   

 

     

Close finishes at Boone, multi-lane racing even after a flooded track earlier in the week

The Boone Speedway held its weekly racing series on Saturday night, even after the area had nearly 7 inches of rain earlier in the week, and the track was covered with water. We understood things were floating around the track, and hoping Mother Nature got all of that out of her system for the 2023 Super Nationals.  The drainage system and the great track prep crew somehow had the track in perfect racing condition that saw multi-lane racing from the 158 race cars checked into the pits.

There was only one repeat winner, that being Matt Avila in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class.  First time wins this regular season went to Johnathon Logue, in a near photo finish in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, David Smith in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Eric Knutson in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Cory Sonner in the IMCA Stealth Racing STARS Mod Lites.

The 15 lap IMCA STARS Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck, and Farm kicked off feature racing.

David Bailey had a big lead in the early going of the race, but Josh May reeled him in and with just three laps remaining was on his tail. That's when disaster struck for the two drivers, when a close racing incident occurred in turn four, leaving them both stopped on the track, and bringing out a caution.  The two then drove off into the pits, their night ended.

Cory Sonner inherited the lead for the restart of the run to the checkers when the race returned to green.  He was then able to hold on to the lead the remainder of the race, and got to take a trip to Victory Lane for the first time this year.  Bryan Zehm started ninth and took the runner up spot, with eighth place starter Austin Gray a close third.  Fourth was Randy Bryan, and Joe Glick completed the top five. Josh May continues his points lead, with Gray setting 8 points out. 

The IMCA Northern SportMods, presented by Elmquist Towing ran 18 laps for their feature event, and it was Matt Avila leading all but the first three laps to take his ride to the winner's circle for the second time this year.  He got the lead on lap four, and pulled away to take the win by a near straightaway.  Danny Fye started eleventh on the field, and raced his way through the pack to finish in second place.  Third went to Jessiah Taylor, fourth was Hunter Longnecker, and Curtis Veber started thirteenth, and finished in fifth. Fye is holding a slim one point lead over Dusty Masolini for the track points, Ryan Leeman just out two points, which is looking to be a fight for the track title.  

Up next was 20 laps of IMCA Modified feature racing, presented by D & E Outside Services.  This one turned into a barnburner, and a near photo finish at the line.

Tim Love, who was wheeling his #27 for the last time, and hanging up his racing career, started on the outside of the front row, and immediately grabbed the lead.

Love continued his ride at the front of the pack through lap ten, when a caution flew.  By this time, Johnathon Logue had gotten to second, and was chomping at the bit for the restart.  It was just what Logue wanted as he had the lead when lap eleven was in the books.

Logue put some distance between himself and the field but that was all erased when the race was red flagged, with just two laps remaining. That's when "TM3", Troy Morris, III, Bakersfield, California visiting racer took a tumble off the top of turn two, halting the race.  Morris was unhurt, and when the race was restarted, Logue had some heavy company behind him....Russ Dickerson running in second, twelfth place starter Tim Ward restarting third, and last week's winner, Jimmy Gustin in fourth.

The green-white-checkered finish proved to be a thriller. Tim Ward swung around the topside and grabbed the lead as the white flag flew, but Logue was able to push ahead just enough coming out of corner four and make it to the finish line 25/1000 of a second ahead of Ward and snag the win.  Ward had to settle for second, third went to Jacob Murray, fourth was Jimmy Gustin, and veteran racer Russ Dickerson was fifth.

Jimmy Gustin took over the points lead for the Modifieds, and leads Jeremy Mills by 4 points.  Mills had issues earlier, spinning out at one point and having to race his way back through the field.

The IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Boone Moose Lodge ran their 20 lap feature caution free, with cars finding a groove high, low, and in the middle of the track.

Mathew West, Kellerton, Iowa racer looked strong as he held down the top spot easily through the first portion of the race.  By the halfway mark, David Smith had caught the leader and then the excitement began.  The two ran closely lap after lap until Smith was finally able to get under West on the backstretch on lap nineteen, and then was able to hang on to take the win...his first this season.  West had to be content with the runner up position, Donavon Smith raced his way from tenth starting spot to take third, fourth went to Chris Pruitt, and point leader Scott Davis finished fifth. Davis is setting five points up on Donovan Smith in the points chase.

The IMCA Hobby Stocks, presented by Pickett Salvage, ran 15 laps to put a nightcap on the evening's racing.

Jimmy Johnson, Cherokee, Iowa jumped to the immediate lead from his pole starter position when the race went green.  Seth Butler was quickly into second and chasing the leader, and Eric Knutson throwing his hat into the ring to run third when the only caution of the race flew on lap three.  When the race restarted, Knutson made his way into second and began pestering the leader.  It took until lap eight before his persistence paid off, and Knutson took over the top spot.  Knutson held on then the rest of the way to take the win, also his first of the year, with Johnson finishing a close second.  Seth Butler took third place, fourth went to fourteenth place starter John Watson, and Solomon Bennett took fifth after starting tenth. John Watson is leading points, 11 points up on Solomon Bennett.  

Next Saturday night, July 22 is another weekly racing series for the IMCA classes and a King of the Katwalks paying $2500 to the Stock Cars.  Pits open at 4:30, Grandstands at 5:30, Hot laps at 6, and racing at 7.

Keep on supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

 

 

Gaylord, Ballard, Stanton, and Bunch first time winners, Carter and May repeat

 It was Rumours Bar and Grill and Salute to Marshall County Law Enforcement, First Responders, and EMT Night at the Karl Auto Group Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night, as the Central Iowa Fair was also on the grounds.  Last week's races were rained out before they started, and this Friday the track was also threatened by rain.  However, this week Mother Nature did not get the upper hand, and the show went on as scheduled with 134 cars checking in for a full night of racing action.

First time wins went to Tripp Gaylord in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified class, and it was Nathan Ballard taking the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car division.  Eric Stanton earned a first time win in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks as did Mitchell Bunch in the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts.  Brayton Carter made it his second trip to Victory Lane in the regular season by winning a close one in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods, and Josh May won his fourth feature in the IMCA Stealth Racing STARS Mod Lites.  

Mitchell Bunch led the IMCA Sport Compacts, presented by Hy-Vee of Marshalltown, flag to flag on his way to the checkers.  Kolby Sabin, driving a borrowed car after selling his own hot rod, chased Bunch for most of the race, but had to be satisfied with the runner up spot.  Andrew Bieber, Independence, Iowa, started thirteenth, and finished in third place.  Fourth went to Curtis Masterson, and David Kimmel made a good comeback after sliding into the a frontstretch billboard on lap one, had to tag the field, and still got a top five finish.  This was Bunch's first time in Victory Lane at Marshalltown this season. 

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites, presented by Knight Sanitation saw Josh May start tenth and inherit the lead on lap four when then leader William Nobles was suddenly off power on the backstretch, bringing out a yellow.  

May never relinquished his lead the rest of the way, and visited the winner's circle for the fourth time this season.  Jon Padilla mounted a good challenge but had to be content with second place.  RJ Gonzales, Colona, Illinois regular competitor at the track, had a good run after having to rally back after an early race spin, and finished third.  Joe Glick and Cory Sonner rounded out the top five.  

It was an exciting finish to the 20 lap IMCA SportMod feature, presented by Rugged Radios, but the race was marred with caution flags which has seemed to become the norm. 

Eddyville, Iowa's Logan Anderson, in his Herbie the Love Bug car, was looking strong as he led from lap one, holding off the challenges of some heavy hitters in Tony Olson, Brayton Carter, and Sam Wieben.  

Anderson was still leading at lap seventeen when a yellow flew, and by this time, Brayton Carter had moved his ride in to second spot.  Another yellow at lap eighteen would set up a green-white-checkered dash to the finish. Anderson held the lead at lap nineteen, but it was Carter finding his way around the outside and passing for the lead on the run to the checkers...securing his second win of the regular season, after also winning the Frostbuster special and Night #2 of the King of the Highbanks pre-season special.  

Tripp Gaylord, Lakewood, Colorado who is calling Iowa home for the summer, made it win #1 in the IMCA Modifieds, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap. Gaylord started tenth, ran down then leader Johnathon Logue by lap six, with Todd Shute joining in the fight to make it a three-way battle for the lead.  Gaylord managed to take over the top spot at lap fourteen, and then kept it the rest of the way to the flying checkers.  Todd Shute started seventh, and took second place, it was early leader Jimmy Gustin taking third, Johnathon Logue finished fourth, and Izac Mallicoat was fifth.  

The IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Drury Automotive, ran their 20 lap feature next.

Leah Wroten took command from her outside front row starting spot as the race went green.  She was soon being pestered by Steve Meyer and tenth place starter, Nathan Ballard.  Meyer took the lead briefly on lap seven, but just two laps later, it was Ballard grabbing the lead.  From there on out, it was Ballard's race as he went home to the flying checkers and captured his first feature of the year at the speedway. Austin Kaplan started eleventh, and caught the leader with seven laps to go, but had to settle for second.  Steve Meyer was third, fourth went to Jeff Wollam, and Garrett Corn took fifth. 

The IMCA Hobby Stock 20 lap feature, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center, put a night cap on the night's racing. 

Mark Hidlebaugh held the upper hand in the early portion of the race, with Bradly Graham chasing him in second place.  By lap seven, twelfth place starter Eric Stanton had charged through the field to run third....and two laps later, he had taken over the lead.  Stanton then kept hold of that top spot the rest of the way to the finish line and the win...his first at Marshalltown this season.  Bradly Graham finished as the runner up, Seth Butler ran at the front of the pack all race long, and finished third, fourth went to Mark Hidlebaugh, and Sam West was fifth.   

Next Friday night, July 21, is Vescco Inc. $2,000 to win Stock Cars "Highbanks After the Creek Dirt Crown". The Outlaw Mini Mods are also on the ticket along with the other regular IMCA classes. 

It turned into a pretty pleasant night for racing after earlier threats of rain.  The track also got a good amount of rain the night before, and a shower around 3:45 in the afternoon....with more predicted about 5 p.m.  The call was made to delay opening the pits and grandstands until 6 p.m. and things were put on hold/wait and see mode.  The forecasters missed that one again, as it never did rain.  

We were pleasantly surprised to see Dustin Jarrett in the house.  Dustin, who hails from Ohio, has been in our area for a while, traveling around working as a voice on the mic with FloRacing and other racing venues, but taking in some non-working races at Iowa's many dirt tracks. We were also surprised when we saw Regan Tafoya, Farmington, New Mexico Modified racer walking up to us in the parking lot.  He has been back just helping out his fellow Farmington racer, young Jackson Harpole, who has been in Iowa this summer racing his Northern SportMod.  It's always great when racer helps racer....another perk of racing family.  

It's mid-July already!  We are on the downhill slide of our racing season, so get out and find a race to attend, and help support the sport we all love...dirt track racing!    

 

Schmidt repeats in Stock Cars, and Gustin finds Victory Lane

After the rain out of the races at Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night, it was off to Boone Speedway and thankfully, a night that Mother Nature was not threatening. 

 A huge field of 177 cars filled the pits at Boone that provided the fans with a full night of racing action.  Jay Schmidt repeated an earlier win in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, while first time wins went to Jimmy Gustin in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, Logan Anderson in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods, Riley Christensen in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Joe Glick in the Stealth IMCA STARS Mod Lites.  Blake McAllister and Logan Wurr took the honors in the 2-person Cruisers.

The Mod Lites, sponsored by Carquest Auto Truck and Farm, ran a 15 lap feature, which did not start well.  As the race went green, two cars rolled over coming out of turn two, and the race was red flagged until the chaos was cleared.  Thankfully, the drivers, Mike Kennedy and Garrison Anderson, were both okay. 

When the race did get back underway, it saw Joe Glick lead the entire fifteen laps to capture his first feature win of the season.  Josh May, started eleventh, and got past Randy Bryan in the closing moments as they finished second and third respectively.  Fourth went to Bryan Zehm, and a close fifth was Austin Gray. Josh May continues his point lead at the track.

Earlier, the Mod Lites ran a King of the Hill contest paying $500 and a "title" belt trophy.  The final round saw Josh May take home the money and the belt, winning out over Jason Toppenberg, David Bailey, and Bryan Zehm.  

The SportMod 18 lap feature, presented by Elmquist Towing, did not start off well either, as it too was red flagged before the first lap was scored.  Pole sitter Matt Avila, and outside front row starter Jessiah Taylor made contact which sent Avila tumbling before a lap was completed.  Avila was okay.

When the race went green, it was Dusty Lynch grabbing the top spot, but he quickly had company breathing down his neck.  Fourteen year old Gage Hilgenberg, and Eddyville, Iowa's Logan Anderson joined Lynch for a three-way breakaway.  A caution at lap seven, bunched the field for the restart, and Anderson, who had made his way into second place, was anxious to see the green fly.  It took until lap fourteen before Anderson was able to make the pass for the lead, but then he pulled away in the closing laps, and scored the comfortable win.  Lynch finished as the runner up, Greenfield, Iowa's David Schwartz came from eleventh starting spot to take third, fourth went to Hunter Longnecker, and Curtis Veber completed the top five.  Anderson saw the winner's circle for the first time this season at the track. Dusty Masolini is the point leader with Ryan Leeman just 2 points behind, and Danny Fye 6 points back.

The D & E Outside Services IMCA Modified ran their 20 lap main event next, with Jimmy Gustin taking the checkers.  Gustin took over the lead from Kaden Cochrun, Bakersfield, California racer on lap five, and never looked back.  Gustin would have to withstand four cautions but held the top position throughout the restarts, and took his ride to Victory Lane for the first time this year.  Paul Nagle finished second, third went to Lakewood, Colorado driver Tripp Gaylord, who started fourteenth, fourth was Kaden Cochrun, and hometown racer Izac Mallicoat was fifth.  

Point leader in the Modified class, Jeremy Mills had issues and did not finish the race. This closed the gap on his lead....Jimmy Gustin now just 5 points behind.

The IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Boone Moose Lodge 104 ran a 20 lap feature, and it was Jay Schmidt leading from start to finish.  He was challenged most of the race by Troy Jerovetz, sometimes in a tight battle, but without touching, and Jerovetz had to be content with his second place run.  Third went to twelfth place starter Donavon Smith, Rod Richards was fourth, and Jeff Mueller came from fourteenth starting spot to round out the top five. Schmidt thanked Jerovetz in Victory Lane for the respect shown during the heat of the battle the two waged.  This marked the second time in the winner's circle this year for Schmidt. 

Scott Davis finished sixth on the night, and continues his point lead in the Stock Car division, with Donavon Smith 7 points down in second place.

The Pickett Auto Salvage IMCA Hobby Stocks went 15 laps for their feature event.

Riley Christensen, Audubon, Iowa led all but the opening lap to take his first win at the speedway. John Watson made his way from starting ninth to take second place.  Seth Butler finished in third spot, fourth was eleventh place starter, Tom Killen, Jr., and Chris Hupp completed the top five. John Watson is leading points in the Hobby Stock Class, 11 points up on second place Solomon Bennett.

Summer is flying by and racing season is winding down fast.  Get out and find a track to attend, and help keep the sport we all love....dirt track racing, alive and well.   

Opheim and Longnecker score Eve of Destruction wins at Boone Speedway

The annual Eve of Destruction along with the city of Boone fireworks display was held at the Boone Speedway on the Fourth of July. There was a big crowd on hand to watch the many shenanigans of the night along with some real racing.

There was a wide variety of stunts, trailer races, Buddy pit bike races, the two-person cruiser races, as well as the IMCA Stock Cars and Northern SportMods in racing action.  The Stock Cars and SportMods were running for National, Regional, and State points, but not for track points. 

Kevin Opheim found that his recent new car really was a big help in getting him back into the winner circle when he took the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature, and it was Hunter Longnecker taking the honors in the IMCA Friesen Performance SportMod class.  The duo of Hunter Rolfes and Dawson Mack won the two-person cruiser feature, the Buddy Pit Bike entertaining race was won by Tyson English and Austin Morman, and the trailer race was won by Jayden Glenn.

The IMCA Stock Cars saw veteran racer Kevin Opheim take his ride from fourteenth starting spot on the grid of twenty-two cars, all the way to the front in a thrilling run to the checkers.  Donavon Smith started on the pole and leaped to the immediate lead but was being challenged by Jay Schmidt, brother David Smith, and Jake Sachau much of the latter part of the race.  Then just after the halfway mark of the 20 lap event, it was Kevin Opheim making his presence known as he was running in the top five.  

A caution flew at lap sixteen and by this time, Opheim had raced his way into the fourth spot, and was anxious for the restart.  Smith continued to lead, Schmidt was running second, and David Smith was third.   With just two laps remaining Opheim made the pass into second, and then in the closing moments, it was a dash to the finish line coming out of turn four looking at the checkers.  Opheim managed to push past Smith by 3/1000's of a second as they crossed the finish line, and secured his first win at the track since, ironically, his Eve of Destruction win in 2017. Donavon Smith had to be content with the runner up position, third went to eleventh place starter Jake Sachau, fourth was tenth place starter Jake McBirnie who made a late race charge, and Jay Schmidt completed to the top five. 

The IMCA Northern SportMods ran an 18 lap feature that saw Curtis Veber lead the first eight circuits with Hunter Longnecker and Taylor Kuehl applying the pressure.  Longnecker was able to grab the lead on lap eight, as Kuehl ran the high side of the track and moved into second, Veber dropping to third.  Lap twelve saw a caution fly, and before the restart, Veber dropped out of the race with mechanical issues, and Dusty Masolini took over third as the race restarted.  In the final laps, Longnecker put some distance between himself and the field, and took the comfortable win as the checkers flew.  Masolini got by Kuehl in the closing laps, as they finished second and third respectively.  Cam Reimers took fourth, and visiting Pearl City, Illinois driver, Rayce Mullen started thirteenth and got a top five finish. 

There is always a big crowd for the Eve of Destruction show, as people seem to love the unique events and other stunts put on during the course of the evening. When we left, there was still a few events left to entertain the crowd, but we chose to "get out of Dodge" before the city fireworks show began, as it's usually a congested mess trying to get out of the parking lot.  The parking lot was full, as well as the surrounding area and nearby parking lots and streets.  

Keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

  

Reynolds, Bennett, and Zemo score first wins at Marshalltown

It was Minute Man Printing Night at the Karl Auto Group Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night and three drivers saw checkers for the first time this season.  Kaden Reynolds took the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Solomon Bennett won in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Mike Zemo, Jr. saw his first victory lane at the speedway in the IMCA STARS Mod Lites.  Joel Rust returned to the winner's circle in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, and it was Brayton Carter winning in the IMCA Friesen Performance SportMods.  

The IMCA SportMods, presented by Rugged Radios kicked off the feature racing with their 20 lap main event. Five yellows would mar the race, but it was successfully completed before the time limit was up. 

Matt Avila held the lead through the first five laps, but that's when bad luck bit him as he spun in corner one. Avila who hails from Prescott, Iowa, has been having much success as of late, but this night, his good streak came to an end.  His spin brought out a yellow, and handed the lead on the restart over to ninth place starter Brayton Carter.  Carter never relinquished that lead from there on out.  He withstood several more cautions, but was never seriously threatened and scored the win. Tony Olson started eighth, and took second, and cousin Kyle Olson started fifteenth, and finished in third.  Logan Anderson and Jenae Gustin completed the top five.  Carter also won two pre-season races at the track...the Frostbuster and Night #2 of King of the High Banks.

The IMCA Modifieds, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap were up next for 20 laps of racing action.

Joel Rust started fifth, and was leading by lap two.  He had big time company behind him most of the contest with Todd Shute and Dylan Thornton on his tail.  However, Rust never faltered as he ran his high line in turns three and four, dipping low in turns one and two.  Todd Shute started seventh, and had to be content with the runner up position, and Dylan Thornton took third.  Ronn Lauritzen finished in fourth place, and tenth place starter Tripp Gaylord was fifth. Rust took the checkers for the second time this season.

The race was halted at lap eleven, when Dustin Kroening, Hebron, Illinois and who has been a regular weekly racer at the track, and the "Monte Missile", Maguire DeJong got together in a racing incident on the backstretch, and their two cars got "welded" together. It took some time to get the two cars apart without further damaging their racing machines.  

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Drury Automotive came next for 20 laps of feature racing. 

Kaden Reynolds started on the pole, and shot off to the lead as the race went green....never to look back. Ninth place starter, Troy Jerovetz dug on the bottom of the track most of the race, closed the gap, but had to settle for second place.  Marengo, Iowa's Nathan Ballard hustled from eleventh starting spot to take third place, and tenth place starter Austin Brands, Boyden, Iowa, was fourth.  Michael Jaennette hard charged his way from eighteenth, to finish in fifth.  This was Reynolds' first win at the track in 2023.

Three yellow flags flew in the 20 lap race, the final one coming late in the race that set up the green-white-checkered finish.  That caution was for the #14 car...a red,white, and blue car that was being piloted last night by Dallon Murty.  Murty had pushed his rent-a-ride to third place when he went spinning in turn one, ending his entertaining run.  

The IMCA Mod Lites, presented by Knight Sanitation ran their 15 lap feature flag to flag. 

Mike Zemo, Jr., Davenport, Iowa led all but the opening lap to take home his first win at the track. He started fifth, and had the field covered quickly, taking the checkers comfortably over second place Joe Glick.  Jon Padilla, Silvis, Illinois regular at the track, started ninth, and raced his way to a third place finish, and a close fourth went to the previous three week's winner, Josh May.  Alex Eischeid completed the top five.    

Twenty-eight cars of the thirty-one checked in, started the IMCA Hobby Stock 20 lap feature, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center.  Refreshingly, the race went caution free!

Dustin Filloon started sixth, avoided a skirmish on the start of the race... but with all cars continuing on with no caution...and came out the leader.  By lap six, he had Solomon Bennett breathing down his neck.  He held the lead until lap thirteen when Bennett took over the top spot.  By this time, Bradly Graham had also closed in on the leaders, running the high line.  Bennett held on to take the checkers, and Graham passed Filloon in the closing laps as they finished second and third respectively.  Corey Van Der Wilt came from tenth starting position to take fourth, and thirteenth place starter, Eric Knutson took fifth. This was Bennett's first win this season at the High Banks. 

There were new faces racing last night...some due to the rain outs at CJ Speedway in Columbus Junction, Independence was off for the night, and Davenport was also rained out.  There was also nine states represented...though some of those are now finding summer homes in Iowa.  

There was an issue with My Race Pass earlier in the evening...which seemed to be country wide...and everyone was finding out just how much we all rely on that information it provides!  Thankfully, it was rectified by race time.  

July is here!  Time is flying and the race season is on the downhill side.  Get out and find a race to attend, and help support the sport we all love....dirt track racing!